An update on my post yesterday about JQ 224 cancelled in ZQN.

An update on my post yesterday about JQ 224 cancelled in ZQN. "Lunch" vouchers were $8 value. A coffee and sandwich in the airport costs $10 minimum, which they must know. No water was offered at any time during the 6 hour wait- that was buy your own. The queue for rebooking and overnight accom was being serviced by one agent. She announced with scores of people waiting that she had to go and attend to the departure of the JQ flight to AKL so everyone would have to wait another 20 minutes. This included the people on the bus outside, waiting fill before going to the hotel. No $ compo for delay of course. All in a day's "service" for JQ I'm sure. Is it not time AU and NZ got some Euro style rights for airline pax, even on LCC's?

JQ. You get what you pay for. Any legislation to add to passenger rights, compensation etc. will mean a rise in air fares. Minimise inconvenience by selecting appropriate travel insurance. 

But how much of a rise? Maybe 10-20 bucks more on a 200 fare would be worth it for when the sxxx hits the fan, as sooner or later it will?

I like the idea of Euro style rights, but IMO the rights are too slanted in favour of passengers. Ultimately, aviation is not that proftiable of an industry and more regulation adds to extra costs... which get passed onto passengers or airlines can't compete and go bust. 

In my experience, an extra $10-$20 on each ticket would work against me, as I have never had an extensive delay... so i'd prefer to cop the odd bad experience and pay a cheaper fare thanks.

If an airline treats you poorly, the best thing you can do is not fly them again and tell your friends. And if you have an important meeting, fly the day before and not a LCC

No, I don't think so. Passengers should self-insure or be aware of the risks of flying a LCC. And for a FF who makes more than 10-odd flights a year, it would be cheaper to have an annual travel insurance policy or use a card with included insurance than cop the extra in the ticket price - and stay loyal to one airline if possible to benefit from status (which helps in times of trouble). Finally, I feel that any surcharge to cover such customer protection is just another form of tax. 

Even with travel insurance, compo can still be a doozy. Go with certain providers, they're typically unhelpful with delays or even cancellations with carriers (typically the cheaper ones, which is why it's important to get the right cover).

Sorry to hear that you're having problems with JQ, wilsoni - they're great... until there's a problem - but c'est la vie, LCCs will be LCCs, those "extras" like adequate support/compensation during delays/cancellations were the first out the window in their business model.

(They call us crazy for willingly paying to fly full-service carriers, but I'm okay paying more for my sanity...!)

wilsoni, what was your motivation to fly JQ? I'm curious. 

It's a ZQN thing.  Some days JQ is the only direct service to SYD. Others there's NZ, QF and even VA. Can be very seasonal too, number of flights per day and which carrier. Prices tend to be about the same on them all, dependent on season. I choose NZ when I can, I like their Works Deluxe product. I go JQ only when absolutely necessary - especially in winter.  Most people in ZQN would agree I think, NZ or QF.

The answer to your problem is called "Air New Zealand".